Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 15:56:44 +1000 (EST)
From: Gary MacLennan <g.maclennan-AT-qut.edu.au>
Subject: Re: M-I: Co-moderation and self-moderation...


At 02:18 PM 10/14/97 -0500, you wrote:
>Comrades,
>
>The M-I list is certainly a lively place with lots of strong opinions 
>being expressed forcefully on a daily basis.  While this is a hell of a 
>lot better than having a list that is dead in the water, it would serve 
>us all better to exercise some self-moderation.  As co-moderator of M-I I 
>would hate to have to act like some sort of cop and attempt to shut 
>people up if I think they are getting way "out of line" (whatever that 
>is!).  I don't relish this sort of a role.  On the other hand, it is 
>important to keep M-I rolling along without epic flamewars and infantile 
>name-calling.  Some M-I subscribers who are here to keep in touch with 
>like-minded individuals and pick-up news from around the world get really 
>turned of if they have megaloads of venomous and pointless messages 
>on their accounts instead.  I am sure you can understand why some would 
>unsubscribe.
>
>I want to encourage comrades who have personal problems with other 
>comrades on M-I to resort to personal e-mails rather than burden 
>everybody with petty squabbles.
>
>
>Solidarity,
>Dennis Grammenos
>Co-moderator
>
>Dennis,

I have the greatest respect for yourself and Gay.  But there is an issue of
substance here that neither of you appear to be addressing.  The problem
started with a row on the Lenin list.  For some reason Louis Godena then
acting as sole moderator (Jon and Zeynep having long given up the ghost)
tried to intervene and provoke a flame war on this list by posting Adolfo's
stuff about the battle with Jim Hillier.  Adolfo is not a member of this
list.  He has openly expressed the kind of disdain for it that Louis Godena
obviously feels for most of the members.  

The affair on the Lenin list was properly the concern of that list.  But
ever since "the Castro is a fascist nonsense"  we have been regaled by
provocative posts from a non-member.  

Let me say it out clear, Dennis (and Gay will read this) I suggest that you
talk to Louis Godena and get a guarantee from him that he will desist from
the practice of cross-posting.  Should Adolfo join the list that is
entirely another matter.

But please Dennis I think it does not get us anywhere to have injunctions
from the moderators when one of them actually started this whole fracas.

Put your (plural) own house in order first.  *Please*

Again with sincere respect

Gary



     --- from list marxism-international-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---